Evaluating how different medications in the same class can be safely exchanged for older adults.

A Novel Approach to Examine Within-Class Therapeutic Exchangeability of Medications

['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-10818597

This study is looking at how safe and effective different medications for chronic conditions are for older adults, using real-life data from Medicare to see if some drugs are better or riskier than others, so doctors can make smarter choices when prescribing.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorRUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10818597 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness and safety of medications within the same class, particularly focusing on older adults who often face chronic conditions. It aims to address the lack of data from head-to-head trials by utilizing the structure of Medicare Part D, which creates natural experiments based on varying out-of-pocket costs for different drugs. By analyzing these financial incentives, the study seeks to determine whether certain medications are truly interchangeable or if some may pose greater risks than others. This approach could lead to more informed prescribing practices and better patient outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are prescribed medications within the same therapeutic class, particularly those with chronic conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who are not taking medications within the same class or who are younger and not affected by chronic conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective medication choices for older adults, reducing the risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of therapeutic exchangeability has been acknowledged, this specific approach using Medicare Part D as a natural experiment is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.